Sven Erik Bystrøm of Norway took victory at the under 23 world championship road race on Friday after launching a solo attack 4km from the finish.
Bystrom, who will join Team Katusha next year, attacked from the main bunch on the summit of the final climb and managed to hold off counter attacks until the finish on the final lap of the 18km circuit in Ponferrada.
It was double joy for Norway as they took the bronze medal with Kirstoffer Skjerping, who lost out to Australia's Caleb Ewan who took second place and the silver medal.
At the finish, Bystrøm said about the win: "It was unbelievable, I felt good the whole time. I saved my legs for the final and took my chance. I felt really good the whole day."
The whole race had seen a multitude of breakaway attempts throughout, but failed to make much of an inroad as the sprinters teams tried to control the race.
Australia attempted to set-up Ewan, who will join Orica-GreenEDGE next season, for a sprint finish, but their efforts on the front through the day took their toll as they were unable to resist Bystrom from holding out for the win.
Scott Davies was Britain's highest finisher, taking 34th place in the same time as second place Ewan.
Results
Road World Championships 2014, Men's Under 23 Road Race: 182km
1. Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) in 4:32:39
2. Caleb Ewan (Aus) +7
3. Kristoffer Skjerping (Nor) Same Time
4. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) s.t
5. Sondre Holst Enger (Nor) s.t
Selected others
34. Scott Davies (GBR) s.t
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